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Seville during spring fair

I have gone ahead and reserved rooms(5 days) in Seville for during the 2013 Spring Fair ( have always wanted to go after watching watching Rick Steve's show on it). I am now having second thoughts after reading posts on the crowds and such. Not only plan on experiencing the fair but doing day trips from there. If you were going to Seville once in you life, is this the week you would go, or is it too hectic?

Actually I'm not sure what posts you were reading. The fairground is away from the city center and this is where there would be crowds. Sightseeing in the city and daytrips won't be impacted - except seeing the locals in traditional costume and several on horseback.

Semana Santa is another story as it can be quite crowded in Sevilla.

Difficult question to answer on if I were only to visit Sevilla once in my life. This would really be a tragedy
but personally I'd not want to miss Semana Santa. Others dislike the crowds but the pagentry and spirit of this special time outweights the negatives (at least for me).

We were in Seville for 5 nights during la SS last year. Although the pagentry was an experience, the crowds did bother me.
The stands for seating, some barriers in the center of the city etc, gave the impression that I was not seeing 'normal" Seville.( I did visit the city- for a day- 25 years earlier.)
The same friends whose apt. we stayed in last year, offered their place again - any time we wish.
Not sure if i should give SS another shot, go during Feria ,or just opt for a 'quiet' period.

Others dislike the crowds but the pagentry and spirit of this special time outweights the negatives

I agree Cathy. On one of my visits several years ago,we opted for Semana Santa and were not the least bit uncomfortable or disappointed..exciting is the word. We loved staying in the Barrio Santa Cruz, at Las Casas de la Juderia (see pix). At another time more recently we visited at a more "normal" time, loved it, but the pageantry, flair and color were notably missed.

We were in Sevilla for the April fair last year (2011) and it was wonderful. I am a horse person and it was amazing---I saw more beautiful horses in one hour than in my whole life before that.

The city did not seem at all crowded at that time. If you can handle the higher lodging prices, I would not be at all concerned. Most of the people are out at the fairgrounds, so i seemed that the attractions of the city (alcazar, etc.) were less crowded. At least we encountered no lines. And finding a place to eat in the evening was easy.